Towel cabinet



L. M. HARVEY Dec. 10, 1940.

TOWEL CABINET 4 Sheets-Sheet l mi( Filed Sept. l5, A1957 Tfno/PfaffIra/725742927 E Y 29 32 M iy/ HS/Q//o/wey TOWEL CABINET Filed sept. 13,1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 @www l.. M. HARVEY 2,224,572

TOWEL CABINET Dec. 10, 1940.

Filed Sept. 13, 1937 4 Sheets---Sheel'fl 5 F52 g1g.

L. M. HARVEY 2,224,572

TOWEL CABINET Filed Sept. 13, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Dec. 10,1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE l TOWEL CABINET Leo M. Harvey, LosAngeles, Calif.

Application September 13, 1937, Serial No. 163,624 l 12 Claims.

This invention relates to a dispensing device and relates moreparticularly to a device for dispensing sheet material such as papertoweling,

etc. A general object of this invention is to provide a practical andeifective device for dispensing paper toweling that is sanitary and veryconvenient to use.

Towel dispensing devices of various natureshave been introduced. In themajority of prior dispensing devices of this character the user wasobliged to turn a crank or engage some other mechanical part with hishands to operate the device in order to receive the toweling. `The handsof the user of a towel cabinet are usually wet and the cranks or othermanually engaged parts soon became dirty and very unsanitary.

Another object of this invention is to provide a towel dispensing devicein which the toweling may be easily obtained or withdrawn from thecabinet wtihout manually engaging mechanical parts such as cranks,levers, buttons or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a towel dispensing devicein which the edge portion of a sheet or portion of toweling in the caseis made accessible for grasping by the user without manually grasping orhandling any mechanical parts.

Another object of this invention is to provide a paper towel dispensingdevice embodying means for automatically ejecting an edge portion of thetoweling from the case to be readily grasped by the user for the purposeof withdrawing a towel or length of the toweling.

Another object of this invention is to provide a dispensing device ofthe character mentioned embodying an effective and dependable means forlimiting the amount of toweling that may be withdrawn from the cabinetat each operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a dispensing device inwhich the user must perform a series of simple operations or manual actswhich operations usually deter the user from obtaining or withdrawingmore towels or toweling than required.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device of thecharacter mentioned that is substantially tamper proof and that cannotbe made inoperative by incomplete or imperfect manual operations.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fullyunderstood from the following detailed description of a typicalpreferred form and application of my invention, throughout whichdescription reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the improved towel cabinet provided bythis invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the cabinet. Fig. 3 is anenlarged fragmentary vertical detailed sectional view takensubstantially as indicated by line 5 3 3 on Fig. 1 showing the parts inthe normal positions. Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontaldetailed sectional View taken as indicated by line 4-4 on Fig. 3. Figs.5 and 6 are fragmentary vertical detailedv sectional views m taken asindicated by lines 5--5 and 6 6, respectively, on Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is .afragmentary vertical detailed sectional view taken as indicated by linel-l on Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 5 illustrating the dogsand adjacent parts of the ejectingV means in the operative positions.Fig. 9 is a View similar to Fig. 6 showing the latch means in theoperative condition where the stop means is released immediatelypreceding the ejecting operation. Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 6showing the parts in position immediately following the ejectingoperation. Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal detailedsectional view taken as indicated by line II-II on Fig. 3, and Fig. 12is a reduced elevation view of a portion of the toweling.

The present invention may be embodied in forms for handling ordispensing sheet materials of various sizes, characters, etc. In thefollowing detailed description, I will describe a form of the inventionintended primarily for dispensing paper towels or paper toweling of thegeneral character described in Patent No. 2,023,357, issued December 3,1935. It is to be understood that the invention is not to be construedas limited or restricted to the specific form or application of theinvention about to be described, but is to be taken as including anyfeatures or modifications that may fall within the scope of the claims.The towel dispensing device of the invention illustrated in the drawingsincludes, generally, a cabinet or case I0 adapted to hold a supply S oftoweling T, a control member II in the case II'I having controllingengagement with a portion 45 of the toweling T, means I2 normallytending to operate or move the member Il -to eject an edge portion ofthe toweling T from the case I0 for grasping by the user, stop means I3normally preventing movement or operation of the mem- 50 ber I I in adirection to eject the toweling T from the case Ill'and governed bycooperation with the toweling T to limit the wthdrawal'of the toweling,and means I4 actuated by manual movement of the member II for releasingthe 55 stop means I3 and to allow operation of the toweling ejectingmeans I2.

The cabinet or case IS) of the device is-in the nature of a hollowstructure for carrying and housing the various other elements and parts.In the form of the invention illustrated the case I is adapted to bearranged or secured on a vertical support such as a wall or the like.The case In is constructed so that the supply S of toweling T may bereadily arranged within it. The case le includes two sections, namely arear section A and a front section B. The sections A and B arepreferably formed of sheet metal and may be finished as desired.

The case section A comprises a back I5 anda bottom I6. The back I5 issubstantially vertical and the bottom I6 is rsubstantially horizontaland projectsv forwardly at the lower edge of the back I5. A forwardlyprojecting ilange IJ extends along the vertical edges and the top edgeof the back I5 and a similar up-turned ilange I8` extends along the sideedges of the bottom I6. The section A isv provided with supports orplates I9 and for carrying the mechanism of the device and includes ashelf 2| for carrying the supply S of toweling T. In practice the platesIt) and 2i) are substantially vertical and project forwardly from theback I5 and upwardly from the bottom I5. The lower edge portions of theplates I9 and 25 are welded or otherwise fixed to the flanges I8 and therear edge portions of the plates are secured to the back I5. The plateI9 has. a shoulder 22 spaced between its upper and lower ends wherebyits lower portion is offset laterally or toward the adjacent side of thecabinet. The lower portion of the plate 20 may be similarly offset.Outturned ilanges 23 may be provided along the forward edges of theplates I9 and 25. The shelf 2| for carrying the supply S projectsforwardly from the back I5 and is located between the two plates I9 and25. In practice the shelf 2| may have suitable edge flanges rigidlysecured to the back I5 and the plates I5 and 2i) by welding or the like.I n the preferred construction the shelf 2| inclines downwardly andforwardly. The forward edge of the shelf 27| is spaced sorne distancelrearwardly from the plane of the forward edges of the plates I9 and 2.

The case section B is a rigidly assembled unit connected or associatedwith the section A so that it may be removed or swung forwardly awayfrom the section A to give free access to the interior of the case. Thesection B includesl sides 24, a top and a front. The sides 24 are flatand substantially vertical and the top 2 5 is normally substantiallyhorizontal. The front of the section B preferably has the characteristicshape illustrated in the drawings. As best shown in Figs. l and 2, thefront of the case section B has anl upper portion 2 6 bowed downwardlyand outwardly from the top 25. and then downwardly and inwardly to joina portion 2l which is bowed downwardly and outwardly and then downwardlyand inwardly. The front portion 21 preferaloly has a smaller radius ofcurvature than the front portion 26. A at front portion 28 extendsdownwardly from the portion 21. The lower edge part of the portion 28 ispreferably inclined downwardly and rearwardly. The case section B ispreferably hinged or pivoted to the, section A so that it may be swungdownwardly and forwardly to an open position. In the constructionillustrated the section B is pivotally supported by pins 29 carried bythe section A.. 'The anges |81of the section A are provided withbrackets 30 for supporting the pivot pins 29. The brackets 38 extendoutwardly or laterally from the flanges I8 so that the adjacent sides 24of the section B are spaced outwardly from the plates I9 and 2S. A latchor lock 3| is provided to hold the section B in its up or closedposition illustrated throughout the drawings. j

The case I5 is provided with an outlet opening or discharge'opening 32through which the toweling T is ejected and withdrawn. The lower edge ofthe front portion 28 of the case section B is in a plane above thebottom I8 and the forward edge of the bottom I6 is spaced rearwardlyfrom said front portion 28 leaving the discharge opening 32 in the lowerforward corner of the case Ill. The bottom I6 may have an upwardlyprojecting apron 33 at the rear of the opening 32 to assist in guidingthe toweling T through the opening. In accordance with the invention thecase III has an access opening 34 through which the user may engage,press against, or manipulate the toweling T engaged or trained over thecontrol member II. The opening 34 is provided in the front of thesection B and is preferably provided in its portion 2l. The opening 34may be rectangular in front elevation and may have its upper and loweredges substantially coincident with the upper and lower margins of thefront portion 2l. It is preferred to make the opening 34 comparativelylarge. It is to be noted that the access opening 34 is spaced above thedischarge opening 32.

The supply S of towelingl T is supported on the shelf 2| andthe towelingT is trained downwardly from the supply S past the access opening 3fttoward the discharge opening 32. The toweling I is brous absorbent sheetmaterial or paper and in the particular application of the inventionillustrated the toweling is supplied to the case I in the form of acontinuous elongate strip wound or rolled into a roll which constitutesthe supply S. The roll or supply S is supported on the shelf 2| betweenthe plates I9 and 20 and thel plates operate to limitl endwise movementof the supply. The strip of toweling T is weakened along spacedtransverse lines to readily tear or part along these lines and thus forma multiplicity of individual towels. As illustrated in Fig. 12 ofl thedrawings the strip of toweling T has longitudinally spaced transverserrows of perforations 35 which weaken the strip for ready separation intoseparate towels. Each towel of the strip, that is, each portion of thetoweling T between adjacent lines of perforations 35 has a perforatedzone or weakened zone 35. In the toweling T illustrated the Zones 36have multiplicities of adjacent openings or slits whereby they arereadily penetrable. Thel penetrable weakened zones 35 are adjacent onelongitudinal edge of the strip of toweling T and each zone 36 isadjacent a line of perforations 35. The several weakened zones 36v ofthe strip of toweling T are in the same or corresponding positionswith'relation to the adjacent lines of perforations 35v and the adjacentlongitudinal edge of the-strip of toweling. The spaced trans-- verselines of perforations 35 and the spaced penetrable weakened Zones 3S areprovided throughout the length of the strip of toweling T. The roll orsupply S of toweling rests on the inclined shelf 2| and the strip oftoweling T is trained from the lower side of the supply past or overfthecontrol member |I as will be subsequently described. f

The control member II is supported in the case I to have movementcontrolling engagement with the portion of toweling T extending from theroll or supply S to the discharge opening 32. The control member II ispositioned and mounted to be manually movable through the medium oftoweling T accessible through the access opening 34 to control thereleasing means I4. The control member II is also acted on or moved bythe means I2 to effect the ejection of the lower edge portion of thestrip of toweling T through the opening 32 to be readily grasped by theuser and is controlled by the means I3 t'o limit withdrawal of thetoweling.

In the preferred form of the invention the control member II is in thenature of a rotatable element or roller. The control member II iselongate and is arranged horizontally in the front portion of the caseIU to protrude into the concave rear side of the outwardly bowed frontportion 21. 'Ihe control member II is generally cylindrical and may beformed of wood or the like. It is preferred to co-ver the periphery ofthe control member II with rubber 9 or similar material to have thedesired frictional contact with the toweling T.

In the preferred construction the control member II is provided with ashaft 31 which projects from its opposite ends. The control member II issupported by the plates I9 and 20 for rotation about a substantiallyhorizontal axis. Bearings 38 are provided on the plates I9 and 20 androtatably receive the projecting end portions of the shaft 31 to supportthe member II for rotation. The shaft 31 projects outwardly or laterallybeyond the bearings 38. The bearings"`38 are carried by the laterallyoffset lower portions of the plates I9 and 20. The circumference of therotatable control member II is concentric with and in close relation tothe inner surface of the bowed front portion 21 of the case. The controlmemberII is preferably provided with longitudinally spacedcircumferential grooves 39 for the purpose to be hereinafter described.l y

The control member II, rotatably supported as just described projectsupwardly beyond the forward edge of the inclined shelf 2I so that theroll-or supply S resting on the forward portion of the inclined shelfbears on and is. partially supported by the member II. The strip oftoweling T leaves the supply S at the point or zone of contact betweenthe supply S and the member II so that it cannot buckle or becomebunched under the supply. The weight or a portion of the Weight of theroll or supply S of toweling T maintains the circumferences of themember I and the supply S in geared or driving cooperation so thatrotation of the member II results in rotation of the supply S. Thetoweling VT is trained downwardly over the forward face ofthe controlmember II to extend between the periphery of the member and the innersurface of the front portion 21. The portion 21 of the case front mayhave indented parts which form vertical ridges 49 entering the grooves39 in the member II at opposite sides of the access opening 34 to assistin holding the toweling T in c0- operation with the member II and toprevent the toweling from becoming fouled between the member II and theinternal surface of the portion 21.

VIt is to be observednthat the toweling T trained portion accessible tothe user through the open- -ing 34 and that the portion of toweling thusaccessible is dependably supported or backed up by the member II so thatthe user may apply force to it to move or turn the member II. Inaccordance with the invention the access opening 34 has a horizontaldimension considerably less than that of the strip of toweling T so thattheopposite side or edge portions of the toweling T cannot be eng-agedor grasped through the opening 34. This is important as it prevents theuser from gripping or engaging the toweling T at the opening 34 in anattempt to withdraw the toweling through the opening. The access opening34 is of substantial vertical extent so that the user may readily act onthe curved or vconvex portion of the toweling T exposed at the openingto effect turning of the member II.

A roller 4I is provided below the member II to assist in maintaining thetoweling T in cooperation with the member II and to assist indirectingthe toweling through the opening 32. The roller 4I may be acylindrical member of wood or the like of substantially the same lengthas the member II. The roller 4I is supported between the spaced platesI9 and. 29 of the case I 0. Slots 42 are provided in the plates I9 and20' in substantially vertical alignment with the bearings 38. Trunnons43 project from the opposite ends of the roller 4I and extend into theslots 42. The trunnions 43 are rotatable and vertically shiftable in theslots 42. The toweling T vis trained between the lower peripheralsurface of the member II and the upper peripheral surface of the roller4I and means is provided for urging the roller upwardly so that thetoweling is held or rmly engaged between the member and the roller.Springs 44 are connected with the projecting end portions of thetrunnions 43 and have their upper ends connected with the projectingportions of the shaft 31 to yieldin'gly urge the roller 4| upwardlywhereby the toweling T is firmly engaged between the member I I and theroller. 'Ihe apron 33 may have fingers 45 and the shelf 2| may havefingers 46 which ngers 45 and 43 extend into the grooves 39 in themember Il to prevent the toweling T from wrapping about the member IIand from becoming fouled on the member.

The means I2 is provided to advance or feed the toweling T to projectthe lower edge portion of the toweling through the opening 32 for readygrasping by the user. The ejecting means I2 is automatic. That is, itdoes not require the manual manipulation of any mechanical parts for itsactuation. The automatic ejecting means I2 is operable to move or turnthe control member II to effect the outward feeding `of the toweling Tand operates following actuation of the manual control means I4 and thusmay be said to be released by actuation of the means I4.

The means I2 includes a sleeve 48 freely turnable on an end portion ofthe shaft 31. The sleeve 48 is rotatable in the bearing 38 carried bythe plate I9 and operates to support the end portion of the shaft 31 insaid bearing. In the preferred construction the sleeve 48 projects out-Wardly beyond the bearing 38 and projects inwardly at the inner side o-fthe supporting plate I9. The means I2 further includes a crank 49 fixedto or integral with the outer projecting portion of the sleeve 48 .toturn with the sleeve. The outer end of the crank 49 carries a pin 59 andolf a link 5| is pivoted on the pin 55. An extensible coiled spring 52has one end secured to the outei` end of the link 5I and has its otherend secured to the back I5. The spring 52 is preferably of substantiallength. It is believed that it will be understood how rotation of thecrank 49 is operable to elongate the spring 52 to store energy thereinand how the spring 52 acting on the link 5I and the crank- 49 isoperable to expend its energy in turning the crank. The turning of thecrank 49 by the spring 52 effects turning of the member II through themechanisrnto be subsequently described.

The means I2 further includes a ratchet drive or escapement drivebetween the control member II and the sleeve 48 whereby the energy ofthe spring 52 serves to turn the member H to feed the toweling T fromthe case IIJ during one phase of operation of the device and turning ofthe roll member II by manual manipulation of the toweling T serves toelongate the spring 52 and store energy therein for a subsequentoperation during another phase of operation of the device. This ratchetdrive includes a ratchet wheel 53 between the plate I9 and the adjacentend of the member. The wheel 53 has a tubular hub 53a which is securedto the member II as will be hereinafter described. The wheel 53 hassubstantially square peripheral teeth 54. The ratchet drive furtherincludes a disc 55 fixed to the sleeve 48 at its inner end to beimmediately adjacent the ratchet wheel 53. Two ratchet dogs 56 and 51are pivoted on the disc 55 to cooperate with the ratchet wheel 53.Spaced pins 58 on one side of the disc 55 pivotally support the dogs 56.and 51. The dogs 55 and 51 are positioned so that their heads cooperatewith the toothed ratchet wheel 53 at substantially diametricallyopposite points. The head of the dog 5G is adapted to cooperate with theteeth 54 to form a driving connection between the crank 49 and themember II to effect turning of the member II and ejection of the loweredge portion of the toweling T under the force exerted by the spring 52.The head of the dog 51 is adapted to cooperate with the teeth 54 of thewheel 53 to transmit turning force from the member II and the wheel 53to the crank 49 to stretch the spring 52 and thus store energy thereinfor the next ejecting operation. A spring wire 59 is wrapped about a pin60 on a side of the disc 55 and cooperates with the tail portions of thedogs 56 and 51 to urge the heads of the dogs into cooperation with theteeth 54 of the wheel 53.

The ejecting means I2 includes a control for holding its parts in theposition illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings where the spring 52 ismaintained under tension. The said control includes an abrupt shoulder6I on the periphery of the disc 55 and a pivoted lever 62 having afinger 63 for cooperating with the shoulder 6I. The lever 62 may beyoked or of inverted U-shape in cross section andthe finger 63 may beprovided on one side part of the U-shaped lever. A pin 64 passes throughopenings in the lower portions of the spaced side parts of the lever 62to pivotally support the lever. The pin 64 has one end portion carriedin an opening in the plate I9 and has its other portion carried in anopening in a bracket 65 projecting from the bottom I6. The

lever 62 has a depending arm E6 and a springthe disc 55 against turningwhen the spring 52 is under tension or is elongated in which conditionthe spring tends to turn the member II in a direction to feed thetoweling T from the opening 32. The stop nger 63 is released from theshoulder 6I by the release means I4 as will be subsequently described toallow the spring 52 to turn the control member II and thus eject theedge portion of the toweling T through the opening 32. The rear end ofthe spring 61 may be connected to a stationary lug [i1a on the plate I9.

The ejecting means I2 includes a control for holding the dog 51 releasedfrom the ratchet wheel 53 when the toweling T is `being manuallywithdrawn from the case I0 after the spring 52 has been elongated by theaction of the crank 49, the dog 51 being released at this time allowscontinued rotation of the control member II following the fullconditioning or elongation of the spring 52. 'Ihe control means for thedog 51 includes a cam face yE58 on the tail portion of the dog 51 and acylindrical roller 69 for cooperating with the face 68. In practice theroller 69 may be rotatable on the pin 64 between the spaced side partsof the U-shaped lever 62. The roller 69 cooperates with the face 68 tofree the head of the dog 51 from the ratchet wheel 53 when the shoulder6I cooperates with the finger 63 so that this cooperation does not stoprotation of the member II and limit withdrawal of the toweling T fromthe case I0.

The operation of the above-described automatic ejecting means I 2 isdependent upon the rotation of the control member II by manualwithdrawal of the toweling T from the case I0 and is dependent uponmanual actuation of the release means I4, the rotation of the member IIby the manual withdrawal of the toweling operating to elongate thespring 52 to store energy therein and the actuation of the means I4operating to initiate the ejecting function of the means I2. Theoperation of the several parts of the means I2 will be subsequentlydescribed in conjunction with the operation of the other elements of themachine.

The stop means I3 operates to limit the withdrawal ofthe toweling T fromthe case I0 and in accordance with the invention is in the nature of abrake means for stopping rotation of the control member II in the toweldispersing or discharging direction indicated by the arrow X throughoutthe drawings. It is a feature of the invention that the stop means I3 isgoverned by cooperation with the toweling T. The means I3 includes abrake 10 for cooperating with the rubber 9 on the periphery of thecontrol member II. The brake 10 is a U-shaped member supported in thecase I0 for pivotal movement. In the construction illustrated a pin 1Iis carried by a suitable bracket 12 on the under side of the shelf 2Iand passes through openings in the spaced parts of the U-shaped brake 10to pivotally support the brake. 'I'he brake 10 is positioned at the rearof the control member I I and its axis of pivotal movement is spacedabove the plane of the axis of rotation of the member. A brake s-hoe 13of rubber or the like is provided on the forward end or forward part ofthe brake 19 to cooperate with the rubber 9 on the control member I I.Because of the location of the brake 10 and the position of its axis ofpivotal movement the brake is operable to effectively bind against theperipheral rubber 9 of the control member I I to stop rotation of themember in the direction indicated by the arrow X. When the shoe 13 ofthe brake 18 is engaged against the rubber 9 of the member I| and themember is turning or is tending to turn in the direction indicated bythe arrow X, the brake pivots upwardly and thus forms a toggle betweenits pivot pin 1I and the peripheral rubber 9 of the member II todefinitely stop turning of the member.

'Ihe stop means I3 further includes a towel engaging element 14 forgoverning the brake 10. The element 14 has two spaced side parts 15 andis supported for pivotal movement about a substantial horizontal axis.In practice the element 14 may be pivotally supported by the pin 64between the bracket 65 and the lever 62. The pin 64 may pass throughopenings in the side parts 15 of the element 14 to pivotally support theelement. The element 15 is operatively connected with the pivoted brake10. In the simple construction illustrated a lug 16 on a side part 15 ofthe element 14 passes through an opening 11 in a side part of theU-shaped brake 18 to operatively connect the element 14 with the brakeso that pivoting of the element eiects pivoting of the brake. Theelement 14 is preferably spring urged or spring held. An arm 18 projectsdownwardly from one side part 15 of the element 14 and a spring 19 isconnected with the lower end of the arm 18 to urge the arm rearwardlyand thus urge the side parts 15 of the element 14 forwardly. The rearend of the spring 19 may be connected with a clip or lug 80 on thesupporting plate I9. It is believed that it will be understood how thespring 19 urging the side parts 15 of the element 14 forwardly tends topivot the brake 10 forwardly and upwardly into cooperation with theperipheral rubber 9 of the control member I|. The parts are related sothat the brake 10 normally inclines downwardly and forwardly withrespect to its pivot pin 1I so that the lug 16 on the spring urgedelement 14 tends to pivot the brake 18 forwardly and upwardly to bringits shoe 13 against the peripheral rubber 9 of the control member IMovement of the brake controlling element 14 is governed by cooperationof the element with the towelling T whereby the brake 10 is set when apredetermined length of towelingT has been withdrawn from the case II).One side part 15 of the element 14 has a forwardly projecting iinger 8|.The forward end of the nger 8| is rounded or convex being curveddownwardly and rearwardly from the top of the iinger to the lower end ofthe finger to cooperate with the toweling T without tearing or bitinginto the toweling. The lower edge 82 of the iinger 8| is concaved tobear downwardly on the portion of toweling T passing over the roller 4I.The forward edge and the lower edge 82 of the finger 8| are preferablybroadened to have more extensive engagement with the toweling T. Theroller 4I is provided with an annular peripheral groove 83 in the samevertical plane as the finger 8| so that the iinger cooperates with thetoweling T above or at the groove 83 as illustrated in Fig. 10 of thedrawings. The upper major'portion of the finger 8| which is above thetoweling T and the roller 4| is received in one of the grooves 39 in thecontrol member I I.

The engagement ofthe finger 8| with the toweling T trained over theroller 4| limits pivoting of the element 14, by the spring 19, holdingthe element 14 in the position where the brake shoe 13 is free of or outof cooperation with the rubber 9 on the control member II, asillustrated in Fig. 10 of the drawings. The weakened or penetrable zones36 in the toweling T, the nger 8| and the aligned grooves 39 and 83 arelocated and related so that the zones 36 pass between the grooves 39 and83 when the towels or lengths of toweling are successively withdrawnfrom the case I0. The spring 19 acting on the element 14 yieldinglyurges the finger 8| downwardly against the toweling T and when apenetrable zone 36 moves between the control member andthe roller 4| thefinger 8I is urged through or pene-r trates the zone. The iinger 8| ofthe spring urged element 14 penetrating the zone 36 under the action ofthe spring 19 allows or is accompanied by pivoting of the element 14.The lug 16 cooperating with the opening 11 in the brake 19 transmits thepivotal movement from the element 14 to the brake 10 so that pivoting ofthe element when its iinger 8| penetrates a zone 36 eiiects setting oroperation of the brake 10. Fig. 6 of the drawings illustrates the iinger8| passing through a penetrable zone 36 of the toweling T and shows thebrake 18 in its set or holding position. As described above, the brake10 toggles or binds against the rubber 9 of the member II to dependablystop rotation of the member in the direction indicated by the arrow Xand thus definitely limits the withdrawal of the toweling T. Thecooperation of the brake shoe 13 with the rubber 9 on the member II ofcourse limits pivoting of the element 14 and stops the element in aposition where its nger 8| is clear of the walls of the groove 83 sothat the spring 19 continues to exert an actuating or holding force onthe brake 18. The transverse lines of perforations 35 are related to thepenetrable zones 38 so that a line of perforations 35 is adjacent orslightly below the roller 4| when the outward movement or withdrawal ofthe toweling T is stopped concurrently with the entrance of the finger8| in a zone 36. In practice the lowermost line of perforations 35 inthe strip of toweling T is spaced above the mouth of the dischargeopening 32 when the brake 10 operates to stop the withdrawal of thetoweling T. The stop means I3 just described is released by the meansI4, as will be subsequently described.

The means I4 is provided to simultaneously re. lease the brake 10,withdraw the linger 8| and release or free the ejecting means I2 foroperation. In accordance with the invention the releasing means I4 isoperated by manual manipulation of the control member II through themedium of the toweling T accessible at the opening 34. The means I4includes a wheel or disc 85 rotatable with the control member Inpractice the disc 85 may be secured to the end of the member II adjacentthe plate I9 by suitable screws 86. The hub 53a of the wheel 53 may beknurled and force tted in an opening 85a in the disc 85 whereby thewheel 53 turns with the member I I. 'I'he disc 85 is provided withperipheral ratchet teeth 81 which face rearwardly or in the directionofrotation of the member |I indicated by the arrow Y. A pawl 88 isassociated with the lever 62 to cooperate with the teeth 81 of the disc85. A pin 89 extends between the side parts of the Ushaped lever 62 andthe pawl 88 is pivoted on the pin 89. The pawl 88 projects upwardly andforwardly from its pin 89 and has a iinger 98 projecting downwardly tocooperate with the teeth 81 of the disc 85. A Weight 9| may be providedon the upper end of the pawl 88 to assist in urging its finger 90 intocooperation with-the teeth 81. The upper portion of the pawl 88 and itsweight 9| may project through a suitable opening 92 in the shoulder 22of the plate I9. The finger 99 is engageable by a tooth 81 so thatmovement or turning of the control member |I in the direction indicatedby the arrow Y is transmitted to the pawl 88 which in turn transmits theinward or rearward movement to the pivoted lever 52. The user of thetowel cabinet may push or bear against the toweling T exposed at theopening 34 to turn the member II in the direction indicated by the arrowY. As just described turning of the member I I in the directionindicated by the arrow Y results in rearward pivoting of the lever 62.When the lever 62 is moved or pivoted rearwardly in this manner itslinger 63 is moved out of engagement with the lshoulder 8| to free thelever 62 from the disc 55. Rearward movement or pivoting of the lever 62resulting from manual turning of the control member I I in the directionindicated by the arrow Y also pivots the element 14 to release the brake10 and to withdraw or retract the nger 8 I. A lug 93 is provided on oneof the side parts 15 of the element 14 and is engaged by a side part ofthe lever 62 when the lever is pivoted rearwardly, as just described, sothat rearward pivoting of the lever 62 effects rearward pivoting of thelelement 14. This rearward 'pivoting of 4the element 14 releases thebrake shoe 13 from the rubber 9 of the element I I and retracts thefinger 8| `from the path of the toweling T so that the ejecting means I2is 'free to turn the member II and eject the lower edge portion of thetoweling T when the user removes his hand or the rearward pressure fromthe portion of the toweling T accessible at the opening 34.

The release means I4 further includes a latch mechanism for temporarilyholding the element 14 in the position where its iinger 8| is out of thepath of the toweling T and where the brake 19 is released so that theejecting means I2 is free to ejectthe lower edge portion of the towelingT following the manual turning 'of the lmember II in the directionindicated by the arrow Y, as described above. In practice the latchmechanism operates to hold the element 14 `in the retracted positionuntil the ejecting means I2 has moved the lowermost penetrable zone 36past the finger 8| and until the shoulder 6I has moved past the Yringer63. The latch mechanism includes a latch 94 pivotally supported on thepin 89 and projecting forwardly. The forward end of the latch 94 has twovertically spaced fingers 95 and 96 which straddle Ya knurled or toothedpinion 91 fixed to the member I I between the wheel 53 and the disc 85.The pinion 91 may be integral with the wheel 53 and in practice may bean exposed portion of the above described hub 53a. A toothed face orshoulder 98 is provided on the forward end of the latch 94 and extendsdownwardly from adjacent the upper finger 95. A notch 99 is provided inthe forward edge of the latch 94 between the lower edge of the shoulder98 and the lower finger 96.

The vertically spaced fingers 95 and 36 of the latch 94 are adapted tocooperate with the pinion 91 to limit the vertical pivoting movement ofthe latch. The toothed shoulder 98 is adapted to cooperate with thetoothed pinion 91 to temporarily hold the latch 94 in its active orlatching position. 'I'he cooperation of the shoulder 98 with the pinion91 holds the latch 94 in a position where the latch temporarily retainsthe lever 92 andthe element 14 in retracted positions with the linger 63out of cooperation with the shoulder 6| and with the finger 8| out ofthe path of movement of the toweling T and with the brake 10 released.When the parts are in their normal or ini-tial positions the pinion 91is received in the notch 99 of the latch 94. When the lever 62 ispivoted rearwardly through the cooperation of the pawl iinger 99 with atooth 81 by the turning force exerted on the member II by the useracting on the toweling T at the access opening 34, the latch 94 movesrearwardly with the lever to a position where the shoulder `98 isimmediately behind the pinion 91. This allows the latch 94 to pivotdownwardly by gravity until its upper finger 95 engages the pinion '91.When 'the latch 94 falls or pivots downwardly the spring 61 acting onthe lever 92 urges the latch 94 forwardly so that the teeth of theshoulder 98 cooperate with the teeth of the pinion 91. It will beunderstood how the toothed lshoulder 98 cooperating vwith the pinion 91holds the lever 62 in a position where the nger 8| is out of the path ofthe toweling T, the brake 19 is released and the iinger 63 is out ofengagement with the shoulder 6I. Immediately upon the disengagement ofthe finger 63 from the shoulder 6I and the release of the manual forceor pressure from the control member `II vthe spring 52 exerting aturning force on the crank49 turns the member II in the directionindicated by the arrow X to advance the toweling T and project the loweredge portion of the toweling through the opening 32. The spring 52continues to turn the control member II and thus effect the ejection ofthe toweling T until the crank 49 and the link 5I assume positions inlongitudinal alignment with the spring 52, as shown in Fig. 8 of thedrawings. During the turning of the control member II by the spring 52of the ejecting means I2 the teeth of the shoulder 98 and the pinion 91mesh to eiTect 'upward pivoting of the latch 94. This upward pivoting ofthe latch 94 continues until the notch 99 receives 4the pinion 91. Whenthe notch 99 receives the pinion 91 the latch 94 and the lever 62 moveforwardly under the action of the spring 61 freeing the lever 62 fromthe lug 93 and bringing lthe iinger 8| into engagement with the towelingT. The ejecting means I2 will have advanced the toweling T to move thelowermost penetrable zone 36 past the finger 8| when the linger returnsinto engagement with the toweling T at the release of the means I4, asjust described. As previously described, the cooperation of the finger8| with the toweling vT lholds the brake 10 released so that the usermay grasp the ejected lower edge portion of the toweling T and freelywithdraw the toweling from the case III until the nger 8| penetrates aweakened zone 36 to eiect the operation of the brake means 19.

In operation it will be assumed that the parts are in the positionsillustrated in Figs. 1 to '7, inclusive, of the drawings where the loweredge of the toweling T is some distance above the mouth of the dischargeopening 32, the finger 8| is extending through the lowermost weakenedzone 36 of the toweling T, the brake is in cooperation with the rubber 9of the member the spring 52 is held elongated or under tension, themeans I4 is released and the pawl 88 is in cooperation with the toothedratchet wheel 85. It will be observed that the toweling T cannot begrasped or engaged at the opening 32 and that the edges of the towelingT cannot be grasped at the access opening 34 so that the use r cannotobtain or attempt to obtain the toweling T without first acting on theexposed portion of toweling T in the opening 34 in the prescribed mannerto release the stop means I3.

To effect the automatic ejection of the toweling T through the dischargeopening 32 the user must apply pressure or force to the portion of .thetoweling T exposed at the opening 34 in a manner to turn the controlmember II in the direction indicated by the arrow Y. When the member IIis turned in the direction indicated by the arrow Y a tooth SI of thewheel 85 cooperates with the finger 90 of the pawl 88 to shift the pawland the lever 62 rearwardly. The lever 62 moving rearwardly engages thelug 93 so that the element 'I4 is moved rearwardly with the lever toretract the nger 8l from the path of the toweling T and to release thebrake 'ID and to allow the latch 94 to move downwardly by gravity to theposition where its shoulder 98 may cooperate with the pinion 91 to gearthe latch to the pinion S'I for upward swinging. The nger 53 of thepivoted lever 62 is released from the shoulder 6I of the disc 55substantially simultaneously with the release of the stop means I3 andthe latching of the latch 94.

'Ihe release of the nger 63 from the shoulder BI conditions or frees theejecting means I2 for operation and when the user removes his hand orhands from the portion of the toweling T exposed at the opening 34 thespring 52 acting on the crank 49 turns the member' II in the directionindicated by the arrow X and the member serves to feed the toweling Tdownwardly so that its lower edge portion is ejected through thedischarge opening 32. The turning force is transmitted from the assemblyof the crank 49 and the disc 55 to the wheel 53 secured to the member IIthrough the medium of the dog 55 cooperating with a tooth 54. The spring52 of 40 the ejecting means I2 operates to turn the control member II tofeed the toweling T downwardly until the crank 49 assumes a position inaxial alignment with the spring 52. In practice the ejecting means I2operates to feed the toweling T downwardly to have a substantial portionproject from the case I0 at the discharge opening 32 for ready grasping,as illustrated in l0 of the drawings.

During the towel ejecting operation of the 50 means I2 just describedthe pinion 91 cooperates with the toothed shoulder 9B to pivot the latch94 upwardly. -Before the automatic towel ejecting operation is completethe latch 94 reaches the position illustrated in Fig. l0 of the drawingswhere the notch 99 receives the pinion 91. Upon the forward shifting ofthe latch 94 to this position under the action of the spring 61 thelever 52 moves forwardly away from and out of cooperation with the lug93 allowing the element 'I4 to pivot under the action of the spring I9to a position where its nger BI engages the toweling Tl The engagementof the finger 8l with the toweling holds the element 14 in va positionwhere the brake i9 is out of cooperation with the member II, asdescribed above. The above described forward movement of the lever 62brings its nger S3 to a position in the patch of movement of theshoulder 5I of the disc 55. Thus when the ejecting operation iscompleted the stop means I3 is released so that the user may grasp theprojecting portion of the toweling T and withdraw the toweling from thecase I0.

The manual manipulation or withdrawal of the toweling T from the caseIE! causes rotation of the 75 control member II in the directionindicated by the arrow X, the toweling T engaging about the member IIdrives or turns the member. During this rotation of the control memberII the dog 5l' cooperates With the tooth 54 of the wheel 53 to causerotation of the disc and t-he crank 49 with the control member. Turningof the crank 49 elongates or stretches the spring 52 storing energytherein.` In practice the crank 49 turns to a position such a'sillustrated in Fig. 5 ofthe drawings. During this turning of the crank49 the face 53 of the dog 51 cooperates with the roller 69 and causespivoting of the dog to a position where it is released from the teeth 54o-f the wheel 53. Substantially simultaneous with the release of the dog51 the shoulder 6I comes into cooperation with the finger 63 of thelever 52 to prevent further turning of the disc 55 and to maintain theelongated spring 52l under tension, Thus the disc 55 and the crank 49are freed from the rotating control member II and the wheel 53 so thatthe control member I I may continue to rotate after the shoulder 6Icomes into engagement with the stop finger 63. The teeth 54 ratchet pastthe dog 56 during rotation of the member II in the direction indicatedby the arrow X. It will be noted that the turning of the control memberII and the associated parts effects elongatio-n of the spring 52 yandthe storing of energy in the spring when the user pulls o-r withdrawsthe toweling T from the case Ill.

The user may continue to withdraw the toweling T from the case I0 untilthe second to the lowermost weakened zone 36 in the toweling entersbetween the control member I I and the roller 4I whereupon the finger 8|urged by the spring 'i9 penetrates said Zone 36. As described above, theentrance of the finger 8| in a weakened zone 35 is accompanied byforward movement of the element 14 and the brake I0 so that the shoe I3of the brake comes into braking or stoppingA cooperation with the rubber9 on the .control member II. This, of course, stops rotation of thecontrol member II and definitely limits Withdrawal of the toweling Tfrom the case I0. The

user may then exert a downward or outward pull l.

on the withdrawn portion of the toweling T to part said portion of thetoweling from the strip of toweling ID 'in the case along the lowermostline of perforations 35. In practice the stop means I3 operates to limitthe withdrawal of the toweling T and to stop the toweling in a positionwhere the lowermost line of perforations 35 is above the mouth of theopening 32. Accordingly, when the withdrawn portion of toweling ispulled or torn free the lower edgeof the toweling T'.v

remaining in the case I5 ishidden in the case and is inaccessible orvery difcult of access. From the `above it will be seen that the manualwithdrawal of the toweling T from the case I0 automatically sets up orconditions the ejecting means I2 for a subsequent operation andautomatically actuates the stop means I3 to denitely limit the amount oftoweling that may be withdrawn at that operation, Following the tearingfree of the withdrawn portion of toweling T the device is in4 conditionfor operation. i

yHaving described only a typical preferred form and application of myinvention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specicdetails herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variationsor modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fallwithin the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A paper towel dispensing device comprising a case for holding asupply of paper toweling, the case having a discharge opening and anaccess opening through which a portion of the toweling is accessible,spring means in the case operable to eject an edge portion ofthetoweling through the discharge opening to be engaged by the user wherebythe user may withdraw toweling from the case, releasable means holdingthe spring means against operation and released by manipulation of thetoweling accessible through the access opening, and means operable bythe force applied to the toweling to withdraw the toweling forconditioning the spring means for the succeeding ejecting operation.

2. A paper towel dispensing device comprising a case for holding asupply of paper toweling, the case having a discharge opening, means inthe case operable to eject an edge portion of the toweling through thedischarge opening whereby 0 the user may withdraw toweling from thecase,

releasable means holding the rst mentioned means against operation,releasable brake means. for stopping withdrawal movement of the towelingto limit the withdrawal of the toweling, and vmeans operable by the userfor substantially simultaneously releasing the two releasable meanswhereby the said rst mentioned means may eject an edge portion of thetoweling for a second withdrawal operation.

3. A towel dispensing device comprising a case for containing a supplyof toweling, the case having a discharge opening, a control member inthe case having movement producing and controlling engagement with thetoweling, spring means in 35, the case for operating the member toadvance opening to be grasped for withdrawal, means #operable by theforce applied to the toweling duriing such withdrawal for conditioningthe spring 40 means for a subsequent operation, releasable meansnormally holding the spring means against operation, releasable meansgoverned by engagement with the toweling operable to stop said member tolimit the withdrawal lof the toweling and releasable by the user, and anoperative connection between the two said releasable means whereby therelease of the limiting means is accompanied by operation of the springmeans.

4. A towel dispensing device comprising a case for containing a strip'of toweling, the case having a discharge opening and an access openingthrough which a portion of toweling is accessible to the user formanipulation, a turnablemember in the case having movement controllingengagement with the toweling and turnable by manipulation of saidportion of the toweling, releasable means for holding the member againstturning, lmeans operable by turning of the member by such manipulationof said portion of the toweling for releasing the releasable means, andmeans in the case for turning the member after the release of thereleasable means to eject a portion of the toweling from the dischargeopening,

5. Adevice of the character described comprising a case for containing asupply of toweling and having an outlet opening, a member in the casemovable by and having movement controlling engagement with the'toweling, means in the case for moving the member to feed a portion ofgrasped by the user whereby the user may withdraw the toweling from thecase, means operable by movement of the member during the withdrawal ofthe toweling for energizing the rst mentioned means for va :succeedingoperation,

the toweling out through said opening to be releasable means governed bycooperation with the toweling for stopping movement of the member tolimit the withdrawal of the toweling, and means for releasing the saidreleasable means.

6. Apparatus of the character described includinga case for housing astrip of toweling, the case having a discharge opening and having anaccess opening through which a portion of the strip may be engaged bythe user, a movable control member in the case mounted to be movable bymanual manipulation of the said portion of the strip and having movementcontrolling engagement with the strip, means in the case for moving thecontrol member to eject a part of the strip from the discharge openingto be grasped by the user, and means holding the last mentioned meansagainst operation released by manual movement of the control memberthrough the medium of said portion of the strip.

'7. Apparatus of the character described including a case for housing a`strip of to-weling, the case having a discharge opening and having anaccess opening through which a portion of the strip may be engaged bythe user, a movable vcontrol member in the case mounted to be movable bymanual manipulation of the said portion of the strip and having movementcontrolling engagement with the strip, means in the case for moving thecontrol member to eject a part of the strip from the discharge openingto be grasped by the user for the purpose of withdrawing the strip fromthe case, releasable restraining means holding the member againstmovement, and means operable by manual movement of the control memberthrough the medium of the said portion of the strip for releasing thesaid restraining means.

8. In combination, an elongate supply of paper having penetrable zonesat longitudinally spaced points, a case housing said supply and having adischarge opening, spring actuated means in the case for advancing thepaper to `eject a portion of the paper from the opening, 'and means forlimiting the outward movement of the paper including a movable partengaging the paper and adapted -to penetrate said zones, and means forstopping movement of the paper actuated upon movement of said partthrough a said Zone.

9. In combination, an elongate supply of paper having penetrable zones'at longitudinally spaced points, a case housing said supply and havinga discharge opening, spring driven means in the case for advancing thepaper to eject a portion of the paper from the opening, brake means forrestraining outward movement of the paper, and means for initiatingoperation of the brake means comprising a part adapted `to penetrate oneof said zones,

10. A device of the' character described comprising a case forcontaining a supply of toweling and having an outlet opening, arotatablemember in the case having movement controlling engagement withthe toweling, means in the case for turning the member to feed a portionof the the user may withdraw toweling from the case, releasable meansfor holding the first mentioned means against operation, means forlimiting the withdrawal of toweling from the case including a brake,power means for operating the brake, and a part for engaging thetoweling and adapted to act in conjunction With the power means tooperate the brake, means operable by manipulation of the toweling forreleasing said releasable means, for releasing the brake, and forconditioning said part to have brake operating engagement with thetoweling, and means operable by the withdrawal of the toweling forconditioning the first mentioned means for the succeeding operation.

12. A towel dispensing device comprising a case for containing a stripof toweling, the case having a discharge opening and an access openingthrough which a portion of the toweling is accessible for manualmanipulation, a member in the case having movement controllingengagement with the toweling and movable to feed the toweling, andmovable by manual manipulation of said portion, means in the case formoving the member to feed an edge portion of the toweling through thedischarge opening, and releasable means for holding the last mentionedmeans against operation releasable by reverse movement of said memberresulting from manual manipulation of said portion of toweling in areverse direction.

LEO M. HARVEY.

